Short Stories from around the world:
Twin Mothers

I have the privilege of working
with a lot of mothers of twins. Yesterday, as I vividly described my
daughters' weaning to a mother over the phone, she inquired "And how
old are your babies now?" When I told her they are now 17, she gasped,
"But, you don't sound any older than me!"

My favorite calls are the
ones in which I hear a trembling voice, the mother near tears because
the new baby is waking up at night or wanting to nurse every two hours
and everyone is telling her something is wrong. Hearing that this is
normal changes the voice, changes the confidence of that mother. A small
miracle! My reward is knowing that moment of empowerment can last through
many long nights and many pieces of well meaning advice.